X10 Community Forum
🖥️ActiveHome Pro => ActiveHome Pro General => Wish List => Topic started by: age on November 04, 2004, 07:49:50 PM
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Yeah, I know, X10 does not seem to sell
them directly but you know, mine are
great! Put other vendor devices out there
for us to choose from...
AGE
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I'd be happy with the ability to define "user
modules" for things like switchlinks and
lamplinks. A few basic setting for "can be
dimmed", "responds to status", "send 'on' or
dim/brights".
It would be nice if a "custom" module could
be configed for multiple addresses too.. for
things like an irramaster (lawn irrigation
control
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Yes, please add Switchlinc or "Custom"
modules.
Also, add the capability of sending codes
that are the addresses only without
the "on" or "off" to program the
Switchlinc switches.
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I've been a user of AH/cm11a for years now
and have always been aggravated by the
bright flash of light when I want to turn on
a lamp at a dimmer rate, such as in the dark
of early morning. I recently purchased an
AHP/cm15a kit that works fine as far as it
goes. It is easier to program and maintain
than AH or Smarthome. But I still can't
stand the bright flash as explained above.
I also purchased several Lamplink modules.
Thankfully they are manually programmable
for ramp rate ON and OFF and also for turn
on level so they don't flash bright while
turning on. PLEASE add Switchlink and
Lanplink to be compatible with AHP so you
can satisfy more customers who will buy you
other goods.
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Yep, I too would like to see Switchlinc and
Lamplinc support.
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Me too. I have tons of X10 branded stuff
but also have a bunch of Switchlinc 8
button controllers and regular switches
which are two way. Non of the switches of
choice are two way, please expand or let us
build our own with a custom switch. If you
make your product more compatable with
other makers of X10 items that would widen
your customer base. I would also like to
see the "big red button" added to the
sensor list. I have a bunch of those that
I keep bedside, and in the laundry room to
turn on my how water circulation pump ect.
John ( been using since the BSR days!)
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I for one am waiting to buy ActiveHome Pro
when it supports Switchlinc. Otherwise,
there aren't any features worth upgrading
from ActiveHome for me.
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I am ready to return AHP if I can't get an
answer as to whther AHP will support
SMartLink and other "more advanced"
products. Homeseer was actually not that
bad. :)
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Using the AHP SDK, is it possible send just
either a single Address or a single command?
Not just an address/command pair? We
really need the ability to send say a series
of just addresses first then possibly a
command so that we can program a Switchlinc
or Keypadlinc, etc.
To program a key on a keypad linc, you have
to send either an A1 or A2 first to tell if
it you want it to send a single address or
command versus an address/command pair.
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So,
Is X10 going to support my
SwitchLincs ?????????????
Anyone otu there ????
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Question: doesn't SwitchLinc follow X10
protocols and standards? They are designed
to respond to X10 commands aren't they? If
they are not, how do you control them?
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> Dave W 12/16/2004 09:23 AM
>
> Question: doesn't SwitchLinc follow X10
> protocols and standards? They are designed
> to respond to X10 commands aren't they? If
> they are not, how do you control them?
They do follow the standard and can be
controlled by X10 commands but they must be
programmed with the address to respond to.
There is a small switch you have to press for
like 5 seconds until the LED flashes. You
then send it the address (house code and unit
code) you want it to respond to. The switch
will memorize this address until reset.
To prevent inadvertent reprogramming, you can
lock all switchlincs using a predefined
series of just addresses, not commands. The
disable program sequence is: M16, O16, P16,
N16, P16. The enable program sequence is:
N16, M16, O16, P16, P16.
The keypadlinc switches have 6 or 8 buttons.
Each button can be programmed to send either
just a single address, a single command, or
an address and command. In the case of the 6
button, the top and bottom buttons are double
wide and are usually labeled ON and OFF with
the middle 4 labeled with a room. This
allows you to address one or more rooms then
send a single command, on or off; similar to
a maxi-controller. The buttons can be
programmed to act as a toggle or be part of a
group. Some versions of this switch have
built-in dimmers, some are transmitters only
with no switchable load. Programming this
switch can be quite a chore.
When I did my home remodel a few years ago, i
used a bunch of these keypadlincs rather than
rely on the cm11a macros. I did things like
A/C for all inside lights on/off, and B/D for
all outside lights on/off; and the regular
on/off buttons for controlling the lights in
the primary room.
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CF, I have a question RE: the keypadlincs
you have. I too have four of them which I
had in my old house and moved them over to
my new house. I installed the first one
and it would not dim the locally controlled
light fixture. When you press and hold the
assigned button, the light blinks off. If
the light is off and you press and hold it
flashes but won't come on. If you tap the
button it will go full bright or off but
the dim doesn't work. I then installed a
second one in a different room and got the
exact same result. I checked the wiring
and it is correct, and I removed all other
X10 items to make sure one of them were not
giving a funky signal causing the
keypadlinc to be confused. I just can't
figure out why I have two doing the same
thing. Tech support at Smarthome has been
terrible. After three tries they finally
said "sounds like they are defective" and I
am waiting for a RMA. But have posted
messages on automation newsgroups and have
gotten no response to speak of. The lamps
are both standard incandescent fixtures.
Thanks!
John
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> John Winn 12/16/2004 11:32 AM
>
> CF, I have a question RE: the keypadlincs
> you have. I too have four of them which I
> had in my old house and moved them over to
> my new house.
[snip]
Bad timing. My wife had just removed the
incandescent light I had plugged into the
switched outlet so we just have appliance
modules in that room... Okay, i was able to
verify that dimming does work as expected.
Are your four SwitchLinc's identical? You
said you tried 2, do the other 2 work as
expected? I have two non-load and one with
dimming.
Perhaps you have set an improper dimming
rate? Did you try to clear the Ramp rate
using the O16,N16,M16,P16,M16 sequence?
Maybe its programmed for a scene? There's
also a scene ramp rate as well.
Assuming you have a 6 button KeypadLinc (do
they make 8 button with dimming?), are you
using the top and bottom keys? Maybe you've
programmed them for something else?
Actually, after rereading the manual, it
looks like you can use any button BUT, you
must use the same X10 address and unit code
that was sent during setting of the
integrated dimmer's primary address.
Have you tried a hard reset? Pull Set Button
out to remove power for 5 seconds. Push and
hold Set Button 5 seconds then release. You
will have to reprogram buttons but maybe that
will help?
Do you have the instruction booklet? If not,
you can download from Smarthome's website.
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Hi CF,
They are eight button dimmable type. I
haven't yet installed the other two
(haven't quite decided where I want them)
but they are all four identical. Bought
them when they had a "buy one get one
free" I have not done the dim sequence
change, but did a hard reset twice putting
it back to default, then setting the bottom
left button as the dedicated button for the
local load. I read the directions several
times and seems it should work since there
are no scenes or anything left in them
right now. I might try replacing one of
the two with one of the ones I have not yet
installed to see what happens. This just
has me stumped, being I had them set up
before and they worked great both for local
and for scenes. Had one of them in my
kitchen with three switchlincs all part of
a scene with several different lighting
modes. Was pretty cool..But now can't get
a simple local dim to work...
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With reguards to adding these other
switches/devices to AHP - there could be a
lisencing/patent issue or conflict of
interest reason why X10 can't add them to
AHP. If X10 is manufactering these device
for other companies they might have had to
sign a legal agreement stipulating that
they can't add this additional
functionality to thier own products. Would
you want a competitor who is suppling you
with your product, directly compete
against you. X10 has not added any
additional functionality to thier own
switches - they follow the X10 PLC
standard protocall but have not added any
of the extensions. Comments X10!
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CF- Thanks for the lesson on SwitchLinc. I
was trying to figure out why Bob and others
were whinning so loud. I gather there really
is no problem since they can use a Maxi
Controller to set switch address, from that
point, commands transmitted by the CM15A
would control SwitchLinc normally.
Thanks
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Yes controlling switchlincs from a CM15A is
easy. What would be nice is if we could
create a macro to unlock, reprogram and then
lock them. For that, we need the ability to
send addresses and commands independetly of
each other.
So again, the question to x10 is, Is this
possible with the SDK? Can we create our own
blocks that we can drag and drop in the macro
editor?
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Cf wrote: “For that, we need the ability
to send addresses and commands
independently of each other.”
I was thinking about this and one way for
X10 to implement it would be similar to the
way RF Commands are generated in Macros.
When creating a macro, a “PL Commands”
selection could be available in the Room
List. From there, you should be able to
insert Address, Command and Extended Code
Direct steps in the macro. It could also
possibly include an Extended Code Scene
step thought that might be a bit more
complicated.
An Address step should let you specify the
house code and unit code to send.
A Command step should let you specify the
house code and type of command (on, off,
bright, dim, all lights on, all lights off
and all units off. Status-Request and
Extended Code Status-Request would be more
difficult to deal with).
An Extended Code Direct step would let you
specify the house code, unit code, Data
byte and Command byte.
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Yes controlling switchlincs from a CM15A is
easy.
Can you comment on that one? :0
I just replaced a WS12A with a Switchlinc. Now, the only way I can turn ON/OFF the light remotly is with the Universal Remote. The CM15A is not talking to the switch at all....
Martin. :-\
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I have a feeling you may not get a reply. The post before yours was from the old X10 Forums and are two years old.
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Dan: I wouldn't bet on it! ;)
I have a feeling you may not get a reply. The post before yours was from the old X10 Forums and are two years old.
Many check for resent posts True yvanmarl may not get a reply from theone he was hoping but he will get a reply !
yvanmarl needs to be commended for searching deep into the old post! Very few do it
yvanmarl: I'm Happy to see your searching and reading before posting!
So I'll comment on it! even thought I don't own a switchlinc device.
Since this thread was started there has been many updates to the Software and its plugins I believe the smartMacro plugin will allow you to program a swichlinc
there is an advanced functions in the pulldown which alows sending unit codes without the ON/Off also there is an option to send extended code.
I'm sure someone using these will chime in with a more detailed post!
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Yes, you can send the addresses necessary to program a SwitchLinc. However the SwitchLinc Modules don't support the X10 Extended Codes, and AHP doesn't support the old-style Preset Dim which is what the SwitchLinc Modules accept for direct dim-level control.
However you should be able to control the SwitchLinc's dim level by defining them as standard X-10 LM465 Lamp Dimmers. But, in order to have the Lamp turn back on to a previously selected dim level, also define a AM486 Appliance Module at the same Housecode/Unit address. AHP has an option under Tools>Preferences to allow multiple modules to use tha same address and you'll need to check the box for this.
Then twiddle the slider on the LM465 icon to adjust the dim level but use the On/Off button on the AM486 icon to turn it on and off. Note however that the dim percentages shown on the LM465 icon are calibrated for the LM465 and will not match the actual dim level of the SwitchLinc.
(This is all probably a little confusing to you, but you'll get the hang of it soon enough.)
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Thank you for all your replies, guys... ;)
Very appreciated... but unfortunatly, I tried EVERY module in AHP and no one was able to communicate with the Switchlinc switch. I just want to remote the ON/OFF function, not even the dimmer... :-\ :-\
I've programmed the Switchlinc with the X10 universal remote by sending 3 A2/ON commands. Is this my error? If I try to program the Switchlinc with the CM15A and a macro sending only the A2 adress (eithout command), will I have more success? ???
Kind of disappointed of the technologies use in home automation in 2006... :'(
Martin. 8)
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It sounds like you never succeeded in programming the SwitchLinc. What happens if you try to operate it at its factory default address A1?
In ActiveHome Pro have you checked the box for transceiving housecode A under Tools>Hardware configuration ?
What do the installation instructions for your SwitchLinc say about programming the address? There are different models with different programming requirements. You should be able to download the owners manual for yours from the Smarthome website if you don't have one.
Because of the way AHP tries to be "smart" and not duplicate commands which it thinks are unneeded, you should probably define a SC546 Chime Module at the intended SwitchLinc address for programming purposes. (Multiple On signals in a row will be sent to a Chime module but usually not to an Appliance module.)
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Thank you for all your replies, guys... ;)
Very appreciated... but unfortunatly, I tried EVERY module in AHP and no one was able to communicate with the Switchlinc switch. I just want to remote the ON/OFF function, not even the dimmer... :-\ :-\
I've programmed the Switchlinc with the X10 universal remote by sending 3 A2/ON commands. Is this my error? If I try to program the Switchlinc with the CM15A and a macro sending only the A2 adress (eithout command), will I have more success? ???
SwitchLinc's don't use the 3 x address/command method to programme them like socket rockets. Instead use the following procedure copied from the manual:
- Using the tip of a very small screwdriver, press and hold the Status LED/ Set Button for approximately 3 seconds then release. The green Status LED/ Set Button will begin blinking and the load will come on.
- Within 30 seconds, transmit the desired primary address (housecode and unit code) from any transmitter. The light(s) controlled by the SwitchLinc will blink and the Status LED/ Set Button will stop flashing.
- Confirm that the address was accepted by turning it on or off from a remote transmitter.
Once programmed, I find defining them as appliance modules in AHP works better than lamp modules.
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Hmm... I'm wondering if sending the On so quickly after the address when you send "A1 On" could invalidate the programming. I remember a user problem several years ago with _some_ module where "A1 On" didn't work, whereas sending the A1 address and On function as separate commands one second or so apart did work.
UPDATE: I checked my archives and the module in question was a Smarthome ApplianceLinc 2002SHL3.
It's not unlikely that the address programming code in the firmware is similar to SwitchLinc Lamp Modules.
Although AHP can send addresses alone, I don't see where it can send functions alone. However both of these can be done using the ActiveHome Software Development Kit (if you have it installed) by sending the raw command bytes from a command prompt. If you want to pursue this, post the Hoouscode/Unit address you want to use and I'll give the two command lines to type.
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Hmm... I'm wondering if sending the On so quickly after the address when you send "A1 On" could invalidate the programming. I remember a user problem several years ago with _some_ module where "A1 On" didn't work, whereas sending the A1 address and On function as separate commands one second or so apart did work.
Comment / Observation (not based on ANY SwitchLinc experience):
"In the beginning... ", all WIRED PLC Transmitters had SEPARATE buttons for UnitCode and ON/OFF/BRIGHT/DIM:
With the introduction of WIRELESS RF Transmitters (e.g. PalmPad) communicating with WIRED RF Receivers/PLC Transceivers (e.g. RR501), the Combo/"All-In-One" Command appeared:
When did the "SwitchLinc Programming Method" first appear?
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When did the "SwitchLinc Programming Method" first appear?
I may be wrong, but I think it was in the late 90's (well after the sending of sequential address and function messages and the replacement of Preset-Dim with Extended Dim). Many Smarthome modules have features that require you to send addresses without functions (especially unit 16 of various house codes) and thus they reccomend the use of a Maxi Controller to configure their modules.
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Ditto yep me to!!!
Tcj